Breaking 1000 Podcast

Ready Set Grow
  • 5.0 (6)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Practical coaching and proven systems to help churches break the 1,000 barrier. Each week, Scott Wilson, Hunter Wilson, and Mark Brewer turn big vision into week-by-week steps—building Ephesians-4 teams, running 90-day cycles and cooldowns, measuring what matters, and multiplying ministry through leaders of leaders. Expect honest stories, templates you can steal, and clear next actions to grow healthy, sustainable churches. www.readysetgrow.church

  1. 14H AGO

    The Staff Shift That Unlocks Growth for Your Church | Ep 19

    Most churches don’t plateau because of vision. They plateau because of how they staff. In this episode, Scott, Hunter, and Mark unpack the staff shift that determines whether your church stays stuck — or scales. Every team has four types of staff members. Only one type multiplies. If you don’t know who’s who, you’ll build around the wrong people — and cap your growth without realizing it. We break down: - The 4 types of staff members every church has - Why performance and culture are not the same thing - The most dangerous person on your team - How to turn potential into leadership - When it’s time to make the hard call - You don’t unlock growth by adding more programs. - You unlock growth by building the right team. Growth follows leadership. Leadership follows alignment. Timestamps: 0:00 – The Question Behind Breaking 1,000 1:04 – Why We Couldn’t Break 650 2:01 – From Doers to Multipliers 4:02 – You Reproduce Who You Are 5:09 – The 4 Types of Staff Members 7:05 – Stars: Who to Multiply 8:05 – Puppies: High Culture, Low Performance 10:53 – Rats: The Opposite of a Star 15:46 – Bombs: High Performance, Low Culture 26:34 – The Fastest Way to Create Another Star If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    31 min

  2. FEB 11

    The Hard Call Every Growing Church Faces | Ep 18

    Every growing church eventually faces the same hard call: deciding which ministries further the vision—and which ones don’t. In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Scott, Mark, and Hunter walk through how pastors can make that call by clarifying: Who God has called their church to beWhere that vision is leadingHow they are actually going to get thereWith limited time, people, and resources, leaders are forced to evaluate ministries honestly. Even good programs can quietly block growth when they no longer align with the vision. The conversation highlights the difference between vision and the vehicles used to carry it, why pruning can feel painful even when it’s necessary, and how avoiding hard decisions slowly erodes leadership credibility. The episode also addresses the reality that clarity-driven leadership sometimes leads to people leaving—and why that doesn’t mean the decision was wrong. In many cases, it’s a sign that alignment, fruitfulness, and stewardship are being prioritized over comfort and familiarity. If you’re a pastor leading a growing church and wrestling with whether something should continue, change, or end, this episode will help you make the call with confidence. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why growth forces hard leadership decisions 01:20 – The three clarity questions every church must answer 03:15 – Why every church operates with limited time, people, and resources 05:05 – You can’t be all things to all people (and neither was Jesus) 07:45 – Why clarity must be communicated early and often 09:10 – The danger of letting people start ministries without alignment 10:45 – Vision vs. vehicles: when methods outlive their purpose 14:05 – A real example of closing a long-standing ministry 17:10 – How to evaluate fruit honestly and make comparisons 21:45 – Why clarity-driven leadership sometimes costs you people If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    30 min

  3. FEB 4

    The Trap That Keeps Churches From Growing | Ep 17

    There’s a trap many churches fall into — often with the best intentions — that quietly limits growth, burns out leaders, and keeps ministries from becoming what God designed them to be. In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Mark, Scott, and Hunter explore why the tension between Spiritual and Strategic leadership is often misunderstood — and how treating them as opposites creates unnecessary ceilings in the life of the church. The conversation reframes growth as a both/and, not an either/or, and walks through: why many churches plateau despite prayer, passion, and faithfulness how Scripture consistently models strategy as a spiritual responsibility the difference between godly strategy and self-driven ambition why pastors burn out when structure and discipleship are missing how intentional leadership actually protects spiritual health If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, stuck at a ceiling, or unsure how to lead faithfully and wisely — this episode brings clarity without compromise. Timestamps: 00:00 – The tension pastors feel: spiritual vs. strategic 02:00 – Why treating this as “either/or” creates a growth trap 04:00 – The real reason most churches plateau (it’s not prayer) 06:30 – What happens when a pastor tries to do everything 08:30 – Moses, Jethro, and the biblical case for delegation 10:45 – “The church isn’t a business”… but business still exists 13:00 – When strategy replaces God (Tower of Babel warning) 15:15 – Why burnout is rising among faithful pastors 17:30 – Jerusalem vs. Antioch: two very different models 20:45 – The real formula: spiritual intention + strategic action If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    24 min

  4. JAN 28

    Why Some Leaders Get Mentored — and Others Don’t | Ep 16

    Two people can meet with the same mentor and walk away with completely different results. The difference usually isn’t the mentor — it’s how prepared the leader is to receive. In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Mark, Scott, and Hunter unpack the often-overlooked discipline of how to be mentored well. From coming prepared with questions, to reporting progress, to honoring the people who invest in you, this conversation walks through what actually helps mentorship lead to real growth. They share real stories from decades of coaching relationships, including what mentors are really looking for, why “just showing up” isn’t enough, and how preparation multiplies the value of every meeting. You’ll hear practical insights on: why mentors don’t want compliments — they want implementation how preparation signals hunger, humility, and respect what to bring to mentoring, coaching, or counseling sessions how reporting progress deepens trust and investment why honoring your mentor’s vision changes the relationship Whether you’re a senior pastor, staff leader, or developing under someone else’s leadership, this episode reframes mentorship as something you actively steward, not passively receive. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why many leaders don’t know how to be mentored 01:10 – Two people, same mentor, wildly different results 02:10 – “Bring a bucket to the well” 03:06 – Hearing vs implementing (wise vs foolish builder) 04:23 – John Maxwell & Coach Wooden story 05:34 – Why showing up unprepared wastes mentorship 06:34 – What great mentoring prep actually looks like 07:00 – Monthly reporting that changed everything 08:52 – Making it easy for mentors to bring their best 09:49 – Collecting dots so mentors can connect them 10:35 – Why growth stalls when questions stop 11:44 – “I had to grow faster to stay ahead of your questions” 13:19 – Reporting creates accountability and momentum 13:40 – Always take notes (and clarify in real time) 15:10 – Sharing wins the right way 16:23 – Honoring mentors beyond the meeting 17:18 – Getting out of the “pile” of people 18:10 – Serving your mentor’s vision 19:16 – Growth teams multiply impact 21:15 – Why being late is a character issue, not a time issue 23:09 – Faithfulness that leads to more influence If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    25 min

  5. JAN 21

    Blind Spots Are Killing Your Leadership (Here’s the Fix) | Ep 15

    In this episode of the Breaking 1000 Podcast, Scott Wilson and Hunter Wilson break down the difference between having goals and actually growing as a leader. The missing link? A growth team. Scott shares the exact framework he used to build his own growth team, including why your spouse should be “true north,” how to find the right people for specific areas (health, finances, preaching, emotional health), and why information alone isn’t enough without accountability. 00:00 — Welcome & why leadership growth stalls 01:25 — Goals vs. plans vs. teams 04:30 — Why leaders need a growth team 06:40 — Build your team around roles 10:05 — Master vs. student mindset 16:45 — Spouse as “True North” 21:25 — How to build your growth team 24:45 — Information vs. accountability

    29 min

  6. JAN 14

    Pastor, Growth Is Impossible Without This | Ep 14

    Most pastors want to grow — but growth doesn’t start with better strategies or more discipline. It starts with something deeper. In this episode, Mark, Scott, and Hunter unpack the foundational mindset that determines whether leaders actually grow or quietly plateau. Drawing from leadership research, Scripture, and real pastoral experience, the conversation explores why growth is never accidental — and why so many leaders stall even though they’re busy. They walk through how a growth mindset shapes the way pastors think about their roles, their future, and their responsibility to steward what God has entrusted to them. The episode also breaks down a practical framework for intentional growth, including clarifying roles, setting standards, building 90-day goals, and surrounding yourself with the right people for accountability. Rather than offering quick fixes, this conversation challenges leaders to take ownership of their development — spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally — so growth becomes sustainable, not seasonal. If you’re serious about becoming who God is calling you to be, this episode helps you build a foundation that actually supports growth over the long haul. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why most pastors want growth but feel stuck 02:05 – Why every great leader needs a growth mindset 04:45 – Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset (and why it matters) 07:20 – Roles vs. goals: where most leaders get confused 10:15 – Defining “good” before you try to grow 13:55 – The difference between habits and projects 16:40 – Why motivation alone always fails 18:55 – The missing piece: accountability and growth teams 21:30 – Plus, minus, and equal relationships explained 24:10 – Biblical stewardship and growth (Matthew 25) 27:10 – Where to start if you’ve never had a growth plan If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    27 min

  7. JAN 7

    Pastor, This Is KILLING Your Innovation | Ep 13

    Maker vs. Manager Visionary pastors are called to innovate — but many church leaders spend their best hours stuck in meetings, putting out fires, and managing the day-to-day. If your calendar feels full but your vision feels stalled, this episode is for you. Mark, Hunter, and Scott unpack the powerful framework of Maker Time vs. Manager Time and why misunderstanding it quietly sabotages creativity, strategy, and momentum on church teams. They break down how managers and makers work differently, why a “productive day” looks opposite for each role, and how to structure an ideal week that protects deep work without neglecting execution. You’ll also hear practical rhythms like batching meetings, guarding prime energy hours, and building systems that replace micromanagement. This conversation will help you reclaim the space where vision actually gets built. Timestamps:  00:00 — Why visionary leaders feel stuck in day-to-day management 00:34 — “Maker vs. Manager”: the mental model that changes everything 01:16 — The difference between operational work and innovative work 02:27 — How managers accidentally sabotage makers 03:33 — Why makers need long, uninterrupted blocks of time 04:16 — Lead pastors: protecting your deep-work space 05:31 — Measuring productivity without micromanaging creatives 06:52 — Why 9am–1pm is prime creative time for most leaders 08:19 — How (and why) to flip your schedule for maximum output 09:55 — Building an “ideal week” for both managers and makers If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    18 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    The Most Painful Leadership Decision: Firing A Friend | Ep 12

    There are few leadership moments more painful than realizing a friend on your staff may need to transition out. And in a church, where team and family often overlap, that weight can feel unbearable. In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Hunter talk through how to navigate that moment with clarity, courage, and compassion. The conversation explores why delaying the decision usually creates more pain, how clear expectations can bring honesty long before a transition is on the table, and how to lead staff change in a way that cares for the church and the person involved. They also unpack a practical path for handling this wisely: • using expectation + timeframe cycles (90-day clarity windows) • separating friendship from stewardship responsibility • bringing spouses in at the right time to avoid confusion or surprise • keeping the final conversation short, surgical, and grace-filled • building severance policies before emotion clouds the moment If you’re carrying this kind of weight right now, you’re not alone — and you’re not a bad leader for feeling it deeply. This episode is here to help you lead from stewardship, not fear, and stay faithful to what God is asking of you. 0:00 — The pain of firing a friend in ministry 1:10 — Why churches feel this deeper than other organizations 2:30 — Stewardship vs. friendship: obedience to God first 3:40 — “Choose your pain” (why delaying makes it worse) 4:55 — How credibility leaks when you avoid hard calls 6:10 — Trusting God that the transition is good for both sides 7:55 — Step 1: clarify expectations before anything else 9:35 — Using 90-day clarity windows (and repeating if needed) 11:20 — Don’t fly solo: get counsel before the decision 12:45 — The “we’re family” model—helpful or harmful? 17:05 — Spouses in the process: preventing confusion & surprise 23:35 — Severance policies set before emotions hit 27:55 — Final encouragement & prayer for leaders in this moment If you have a question or topic you’d like us to tee up on a future episode, email us at hey@readysetgrowchurch.com

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Practical coaching and proven systems to help churches break the 1,000 barrier. Each week, Scott Wilson, Hunter Wilson, and Mark Brewer turn big vision into week-by-week steps—building Ephesians-4 teams, running 90-day cycles and cooldowns, measuring what matters, and multiplying ministry through leaders of leaders. Expect honest stories, templates you can steal, and clear next actions to grow healthy, sustainable churches. www.readysetgrow.church

Information

  • Creator
    Ready Set Grow
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Breaking 1000 Podcast
  • Show Website
    Breaking 1000 Podcast